This is an often-repeated piece of advice in certain circles that jointly caring for a canine companion post-separation is a terrible idea. Most will argue such arrangements hinder former couples from moving forward, lead to scheduling chaos, fuel disputes, and are a nuisance for everyone involved. Apparently, as a development worthy of a direct-to-platform film, it can even cause our furry friends to become depressed.
Not to downplay the inner life of our pets – pet parents attest to their deep emotional capacity. For a masterclass in canine melancholy, simply recall another performance. It seems certain that a dog such as Merv, a scruffy terrier type brought to life by the canine actor Gus, would struggle coping with split households. If this concept a full holiday film around this situation works effectively seems rather doubtful.Standard Holiday Fare
To its credit, Merv, written by its screenwriters and helmed by playwright Jessica Swale, never aspires to be deeper than a light film. It functions as a seasonal offering from a major tech-and-media conglomerate – the depth remains surface-level. Its storyline unfolds as uncomplicated: a separated couple Russ, played by Charlie Cox and Anna (Zooey Deschanel), forced to acknowledge that their post-breakup gloom is rivaled only by their dog's, take a uplifting getaway to a dog-friendly resort. Once there, as expected, they will undoubtedly stumble toward the idea that they are better together. Side characters – including Chris Redd, Jasmine Mathews, and others – fulfill roles eccentric, underutilized, or over-the-top. The film's look has the quality of a platform's in-house production, with a Christmas setting that is obviously artificial – think obvious snow effects surrounding green trees as a summer location stands in for the Northeast.
The Dog's Domain
Whether these familiar elements coalesce into a pleasant experience hinges on the execution and one's taste for cinematic comfort food. On the latter point, Merv targets a specific viewer – individuals who seek out for cute animal clips. The film delivers a wealth of adorable dog montages. The central draw is Merv himself, and while this leads to some awkward editing between what the dog does and the actors' responses, the movie succeeds in showing dog beach fun, pet moping, and, ultimately, pure puppy happiness.
The Human Element
The same praise cannot be applied for the romantic plot. The tone shifts uneasily between relationship drama, wacky comedy, formulaic romance, and physical comedy, never fully committing to a consistent feel. The fault lies not with the actor playing Russ, who is willing to embrace the humiliating and funny demanded of the unusual premise. His performance contains a likable self-deprecation that provides the bulk of the chemistry for this ostensibly perfect couple. Anna's portrayer, as is her trademark, injects a certain millennial quirkiness that will click for some but not others. The character comes across as a little too aloof, especially when paired with Cox's genuine sadness. (For what it's worth, Gus the Dog is convincing at looking despondent – not quite a canine thespian of that caliber, he remains an excellent dog.)
The story strives to add substance to the central romance for moments when the dog is absent – a regrettable choice, considering Merv is by far the most adorable aspect of this film designed for charm. Unsurprisingly, it just about gets by. The catalyst for their original breakup might seem more adult and realistic with greater exploration and fewer direct statements. As it stands, Merv is gentle and pleasant, fulfilling every expected note. Making a film on this shared-custody premise isn't a bad idea – but it's not exactly a stroke of genius.
- Merv streams on Prime Video on December 10th.
